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Our Halloween customs: Where are they from?
Published Thursday, October 30, 2008
Have you ever wondered why people do what they do on Halloween? Many of our seasonal traditions mimic those practiced in ancient times.
Kids have costume contests and dress up while going trick-or-treating (or trunk-or-treating, whatever the case may be). This custom dates back to the Celtic Druids of northern Britain, who wore frightening costumes as one of several attempts to scare off evil spirits.
More than likely, you or someone you know has carved a pumpkin and placed a candle or light bulb inside. This imitates the Druid practice of lighting fires on the hills to ward off winter and the coming evil.
A few people bob for apples on Halloween. This game involves filling a tub with water and apples, then trying to grab the apples with one’s teeth and pull it out of the tub. Still, others throw an apple paring over their shoulder to see what initial it makes upon hitting the floor.
This fruity tradition go back to the Roman goddess of orchards, Pomona. It was also part of the pagan religious festival Samhain, another word for Halloween in some Gaelic languages.
The newer version, however, is more of a New Year’s tradition than a Halloween tradition. The first one to come up with an apple is said to be the first to marry. This is closely related to the practice of throwing rice at weddings, because people originally threw apples.
The cartoon-like witches and ghosts seen on decorations and advertisements this time of year date back to the sixth or seventh century. Halloween marks the beginning of Hallowtide, a season that includes the Feast of All Saints on Nov. 1 and the Feast of All Souls on Nov. 2. These rituals have connotations of the dead, witches, ghosts, devils and the like.
Many have come to oppose celebrating Halloween because of its pagan origins, but there are plenty of events that are good, clean fun for everyone.
For more information on local events, see the Community Calendar on page 3. Everyone is asked to have a safe Halloween.
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Comments
Posted by my2cents (anonymous) on October 31, 2008 at 8:29 a.m. (Suggest removal)
I appreciate this article on the origins of Halloween's customs. However, I question whether it can be said there are "plenty of events that are good, clean fun." The origins remain the same no matter how you clean it up now. Can you turn something that was dirty into something clean? I think God would be the one who would decide as to whether it is "good, clean fun."
Posted by KatherineReece (anonymous) on October 31, 2008 at 12:27 p.m. (Suggest removal)
It was the practice of the Christian church, in its early days, to take over a pagan holiday and make it a church holiday in order to help bring people into the church. Christmas, as one example, was set in the middle of winter to take over pagan mid-winter celebrations to make it easier for the people to convert to Christianity since they knew that their tradition feasts and celebrations would continue. Biblical scholars believe that Christ was actually born around September.
Placing Easter in the spring is also taking over pagan holidays. Do a google search on either Easter pagan holiday or Christmas pagan holiday and you'll find a wealth of information.
If you want to drop Halloween due to its pagan roots then you'd need to drop Christmas and Easter as well, or at least move their dates and cancel all the traditional trappings, the tree, the exchanging of presents, even the colors red & green have pagan roots.
Posted by my2cents (anonymous) on October 31, 2008 at 12:36 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Thank you for such a nice explanation Katherine. It really makes me think. You know didn't the Israelites call the Golden Calf an "alter to God?" I remember what happened to them though even though they tried to turn something pagan into something God would accept. Interesting... So is it Okay to turn something Pagan into something Christian?
Posted by KatherineReece (anonymous) on October 31, 2008 at 1:40 p.m. (Suggest removal)
I wouldn't want to make the call as to if its okay or not. Personally (and please remember that's personally) I think it would be more of a matter of what is in your heart and soul. After all you know when you give your child or your grandchild a present at Christmas that you aren't really celebrating a Roman god, but rather the love that you have for that child. Even though the practice of exchanging gifts started as part of a Roman holiday to one of their gods.
The early church was more interested in converting the pagans than almost anything else. They did the same sort of thing when the Spanish came into modern day Mexico and Peru. The church allowed the native peoples to convert their (non-sacrificial) practices into Church holidays to make it easier for them to convert. Which was quite fortunate for the native people since the inquisition was still in effect.
Our pagan ancestors weren't bad people, most of their religions started out as little more than trying to explain the world around them without the benefit of science and meteorology. For example, they didn't know the weather science behind how and why the rains fell, rain that their lives depended on for a good harvest, so they came up with a god who controlled it and prayed to that invention. They were just trying to survive the only way they knew how.
Posted by my2cents (anonymous) on October 31, 2008 at 2:20 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Katherine, I am very impressed with your vast knowledge. And I can't imagine that a God of love would punish a person if they never had the opportunity to learn about Him to begin with. But, what about us, Christians who have the Bible to guide them. Do you think Bible principles allow Christians to partake in pagan holidays even if we don't wholeheartedly believe in their original meanings? I am scared my relationship with God could become contaminated by unchristian customs that might displease Him. Aren't we encouraged to be clean and "unspotted" from the world? Isn't the path leading to rightousness narrow? (as in few people do it) Can anyone think of a scriptural basis to support holidays such as this? I would just like to know from the Bible what the right view is so that I can be the best Christian I can. Thanks for all your thoughts Katherine. I really enjoy them.
Posted by KatherineReece (anonymous) on October 31, 2008 at 3:07 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Thank you, I am a history geek : ) As a history geek I can tell you the historical nature behind customs and point out, as I have here, that almost every holiday we celebrate has pagan roots.
What you do with that information should be a decided after a discussion between you, your minister, and God.
The closest I can come to a biblical passage would be Jeremiah 10, I don't know if that is referring to the Christmas tree of the pagan traditions but it sounds quite like it. Would that prompt you to not put up a tree again? Its Old Testament, and when Jesus came along (in my opinion... okay?) he said that the old laws were no more and that people should follow his preachings. I don't recall him saying anything other than people should love and forgive each other.
As I said ... I'm just providing history....
Posted by TheDude (Michael Wells) on October 31, 2008 at 3:36 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Happy Halloween ...DOH! :)
Posted by November162000 (anonymous) on October 31, 2008 at 4:02 p.m. (Suggest removal)
I think we're getting just a little too anally retentive about Halloween. Just eat the candy and don't worry about it. I don't think God will think you are worshipping or celebrating the devil, if He does then I guess He just doesn't have a very good sense of humor. I think He's a little bigger than that. But, to each his own, as they say.
Posted by my2cents (anonymous) on October 31, 2008 at 7:39 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Katherine, thank you again for your comments. I definitely agree that Jesus instituted a new law. However, having said that, I wouldn't say it was totally different than the one found in the Old Testament. I mean didn't he quote the Old Testament many times. And doesn't the Bible say in 2nd Tim 3:16,17, that all scriptures are for setting things straight and for teaching? Plus we still would apply the 10 Commandments right? The one you referenced in Jeremiah 10 does sound very much like a Christmas tree and it put it in a bad light. I don't know if that is actually what it is talking about, but it sure did sound like it. I found it very interesting. I had never paid any attention to that scripture before. I guess the question now is whether or not God's standards for his people have changed since Biblical times? And November I didn't mean to offend you, I am just concerned as to whether God approves of these customs or not. I consider God's opinion to be of the utmost importance in everything in my life. I respect your view if you have no problem with Halloween. I think it is definitely something to think seriously about. Thank you!
Posted by KikiSquigglebottom (anonymous) on October 31, 2008 at 9:14 p.m. (Suggest removal)
my2cents - if you don't want you and your family celebrating Halloween, then don't. Not everyone in this world practices your religion and there are many who do who see this holiday as what it is - harmless fun. I do agree with Katherine though that if you're opposed to Halloween because of it's pagan roots then maybe you should reconsider your participation in Christmas and Easter as well.
The reason people started dressing up on Halloween (All Saints Eve) was because it was believed that until midnight evil spirits were allowed to roam and wreak havoc. Humans dressing up were trying to avoid the evil spirits, they were not being evil themselves. It was never 'dirty' - just people trying to protect themselves until midnight.
Posted by AllSeeingEye (anonymous) on October 31, 2008 at 11 p.m. (Suggest removal)
I don't participate in Halloween because handing out candy is just another "redistribution of wealth" and I'm no socialist! :P
Posted by KikiSquigglebottom (anonymous) on November 1, 2008 at 12:02 a.m. (Suggest removal)
my2cents, I want to make it clear I'm not attacking you or your beliefs. I'm just trying to allay your fears by pointing out Halloween is no more 'dirty' than Christmas or Easter because of it's pagan roots. In fact, some churches even have their own Halloween celebrations where they have hay rides, bobbing for apples, cake walks and other fall festivities.
Posted by November162000 (anonymous) on November 1, 2008 at 12:21 p.m. (Suggest removal)
ASE: Handing out candy of your own free will would be considered generosity. Having your candy confiscated by the government and given to someone else against your will would be considered 'redistribution', and therefore socialism. :P
Posted by AllSeeingEye (anonymous) on November 1, 2008 at 4:21 p.m. (Suggest removal)
I heard McCain has a sweet tooth so, if elected, he better keep his hands off my candy. Nothing comes between me and my Reese's. :P
Posted by my2cents (anonymous) on November 1, 2008 at 9:44 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Kiki, you make a valid point. I should think about Christmas and Easter. But I have another question for your opinion. If the majority of people agree to do something, does that mean it is the correct choice? I mean Biblically speaking haven't God's people always been a minority? It definitely makes me think.
Posted by gerry (anonymous) on November 3, 2008 at 7:19 a.m. (Suggest removal)
I really appreciate your article on; "Halloween Customs".
It really makes us stop and think...which is more important to us as a Christian?: Truth, or "Tradition" I would like to think that a Christian would ask: "How would Jesus view such Pagan practices (or Customs)?
Posted by KikiSquigglebottom (anonymous) on November 3, 2008 at 8:44 p.m. (Suggest removal)
my2cents - I'm not sure about worldwide, but according to recent surveys 76% of Americans identify themselves as Christians, so at least in this country you are not in the religious minority.
And according to Merriam-Webster, the definition of Morals is - 1 a: of or relating to principles of right and wrong in behavior : ethical <moral judgments> b: expressing or teaching a conception of right behavior <a moral poem> c: conforming to a standard of right behavior d: sanctioned by or operative on one's conscience or ethical judgment <a moral obligation> e: capable of right and wrong action <a moral agent>
2: probable though not proved : virtual <a moral certainty>
3: perceptual or psychological rather than tangible or practical in nature or effect <a moral victory> <moral support>
Which translates to mean conforming to a standard of what is right and good, and it implies conformity to established laws or accepted ideas of right and wrong, as in the basic moral values of a community, so that the majority of a community decides what is or is not acceptable behavior. That said, I don't think that always makes it the correct choice.
I think that those of you who are Christians should pose this question to your religious leaders. my2cents, I really don't think you have anything to worry about as far as your religion is concerned but again, discuss it with your religious leader. I wish you the best in coming to the right decision for you.
Posted by my2cents (anonymous) on November 4, 2008 at 11:19 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Kiki, I appreciate your comments. Although 76% of Americans identify themselves as Christians, does that mean God identifies them as true Christians? The reason I ask is because at Mathew 7:22, 23, we learn that many will say they were Christians, but Jesus will only recognize a few as being so. I appreciate the dictionary's viewpoint of morals, but I am more interested in God's viewpoint. Therefore, I would like to know if anyone can find a scriptural reason to support Pagan holidays? Thank you for your consideration.
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